The West Virginia Nonprofit Association (WVNPA) is conducting a feasibility study that will assess the need, viability and cost effectiveness of creating a robust training and coaching program for nonprofit organizations in West Virginia.
“The study will assess the needs of nonprofits statewide and how those organizations could best be served by the proposed Institute for Coaching and Leadership,” says Laura Lee Haddad, WVNPA Executive Director. “By partnering with the EdVenture Group, we will have access to a comprehensive study of the best ways to help West Virginia nonprofits with the education and tools they need for organizational excellence.”
As part of the study, a series of focus groups is being facilitated by Lydotta Taylor, of the Morgantown-based EdVenture Group.
“These focus groups give nonprofit staff the opportunity to share their thoughts and make their voices heard,” says Taylor. “This study gives everybody a chance to shape the future of training for nonprofits in West Virginia. It’s a unique opportunity for nonprofits and one that we hope all will be involved in at some level. Together we are stronger; that’s the value of working with the West Virginia Nonprofit Association.”
The first focus group took place on July 8, at the Randolph County Development Authority offices in Elkins, with representatives from a dozen area nonprofits.
A second focus group is scheduled for July 30, as part of the West Virginia Nonprofit Association’s Annual Meeting in Charleston, during the Faces of Leadership Conference.
For those unable to attend the in-person, on-site focus groups, the West Virginia Nonprofit Association and The EdVenture Group are conducting a one-hour, online focus group on July 15.
“We hope to think out of the box,” says Taylor. “Anything is fair game. We want to listen and generate ideas so the needs of West Virginia’s nonprofits can be met in the best way possible.”
For Taylor, whose nonprofit EdVenture Group provides training, coaching and curriculum development services for businesses, nonprofits and educational institutions, the feasibility study reflects a personal passion.
“I’m passionate about this, because growth and development of not only the leaders, but all employees of nonprofits, will make a difference in how successful they’ll be in the future,” she said.
Taylor is also willing to conduct focus groups in additional communities before the study concludes this fall. One such focus group is being organized by one of the state’s United Way chapters later this summer.
For those West Virginia nonprofits unable to attend a focus group, however, there are other opportunities for them to share their voice so the study will reflect their needs. An online survey is available on the West Virginia Nonprofit Association Website, wvnpa.org. Nonprofit offices around the state may also receive person-to-person phone calls as the Nonprofit Association and The EdVenture Group work toward their target of reaching 1,000 organizations for the study.
Focus group participants are encouraged to register at wvnpa.org/institute or by calling WVNPA Executive Director Laura Lee Haddad at 304-667-2248.
